Draco paced the length of his office as he considered the options before him. He didn't want to hide anything from his parents. They would be far more upset if he kept things from them. It was also disrespectful to Granger. She was carrying his child.

He took a deep breath and apparated to the Manor. The marble floor was shining, the wood gleamed, and the scent of lemons and beeswax assaulted him. His mother had become a bit obsessed with cleanliness since the war. It worried him from time to time, but the elves loved it.

"Fife greets the young master." The small being bowed to him.

"It's good to see you, Fife." Draco smiled as the elderly elf straightened up. "Are my parents at home?"

"They be in the conservatory." Fife smiled up at him. "Mistress Narcissa wants to be expanding it again."

"Ah." Draco nodded. "Mother does love her projects."

"Mistress likes to be keeping busy." Fife smiled and nodded. "She is a good witch."

Draco nodded and smiled at Fife before heading toward the conservatory.

He found his parents sitting together under a palm tree. Lucius sipped his tea as Narcissa drew a plan for what appeared to be an enclosed orchard on the pad on her easel. They both seemed content. He slowed his pace.

There had been far too many moments like this one in his life. He took a deep breath. The world had already changed for him. He'd known how hideous and wrong his parents' beliefs were long before he'd let himself be branded to protect them, but they seemed to remain somehow blind to reality.

He cleared his throat and smiled gently at them. Their smiles were pleased and their curiosity palpable. He stepped closer and prepared to strip away their illusions.

Harry looked up as Hermione stepped into her home from the floo. She looked slightly flushed, and the smile on her face wasn't for him. He stood up and smiled widely as she stumbled when she caught sight of him.

"Sorry I let myself in." Harry took a deep breath.

"The wards include you because you're always welcome." She kissed his cheek and hugged him briefly. "But you're not here for a casual visit, are you?"

"No." He shifted on his feet. "Someone found your parents old place and painted it with feline blood. It's not pretty, and I think the threat is credible. I am moving Gin and the kids to The Burrow. I want you to go there, too."

"That's not going to work, Harry." Hermione shook her head. "Molly and Ron won't tolerate me. Even Ginny barely speaks to me. I can't move in there and make them uncomfortable in their own home."

"I know the wards here are strong, but living alone puts you at risk." Harry frowned. "Maybe you could stay at Hogwarts for a few weeks. Minerva would love to see you. Think of all the research you could do."

"I can't hide away, Harry." Hermione sighed. "I have the best wards I can construct. Have Bill try to rip them down if you don't believe me, but I am not leaving my home now."

Harry watched as his best friend began to pace. It wasn't uncommon for her, but the hand resting on her abdomen was. She usually swung her arms about.

"You're pregnant!" Harry blinked. "Does Ron know?"

"He isn't the father, so no." Hermione glared at him and her hair sparked with flares of gold and green.

"How did this happen?" Harry plopped down on her transfigured couch and stared at her.

"In the usual way." Hermione smirked. "Do we need to have the talk again?"

He felt his cheeks bloom red and glanced down at her floor. He still remembered their original talk. He didn't care to revisit the experience however helpful it may have been.

"I didn't know that you'd started dating." He leaned forward on his legs and twisted his hands together between his knees.

"It wasn't dating until today, really." Hermione blushed. "We are going to try."

"Going to try?" Harry stood up and started to pace in a line perpendicular to hers. "You're pregnant. Trying is ridiculous. You deserve better."

"Harry, I'm a grown woman. I don't need to rush into anything." She planted her hands on her hips. "I am happy with trying. I am not rushing into anything."

"You can't do this alone. I'll go to the appointments with you or Gin will." Harry rubbed the back of his neck.

"The father has already agreed to go with me." Hermione grabbed him as he passed by her. "I can handle this."

"Ron hasn't returned your books, Hermione. I'm pretty sure your sleeping on a transfigured blanket. I wasn't paying attention, and I am sorry for that. I've been a lousy friend." He pulled her in for a hug. "I will do better. I promise."

"It's not going to be easy, Harry. Ron is a member of your family, and he is going to react badly when he finds out I'm pregnant." Hermione rubbed her cheek against his chest. "You aren't going to be happy either."

"If you're happy, I am." Harry patted her back gently. "I know, and I'm not upset."

"Draco Malfoy is the father." She pushed back from him and stared up into his face.

"Malfoy?" Harry blinked.

"Draco, yes." Hermione looked up at him, and he could see her waiting for the explosion.

"You're trying with the ferret." Harry nodded. "He's smart enough for you. If he treats you right, I'll have no issues with him. I'm not going to stand aside and watch you get hurt again."

Harry smiled as she hurled herself into his arms. He'd gotten it right, finally.

Narcissa enjoyed a sip of tea and watched her husband stew. There really wasn't another word for it. He wasn't brooding or ruminating.

"No one has died." Narcissa patted his hand. "We are going to have another grandchild."

"He looked so worried." Lucius frowned. "He thought I would reject him and the new child. He doesn't believe I've changed."

"He hasn't had much opportunity to observe it." Narcissa stroked her fingers over her husband's skin. "He married a pureblood. He produced a pureblood heir. He always avoids upsetting us."

"He's a better man than I ever dreamed of being." Lucius nodded. "This babe will be very smart."

"I imagine so." Narcissa nodded.

"They should marry." Lucius flipped his hair over his shoulder. "It would be a good to provide our grandchild with a stable environment."

"They might not suit." She took another sip of her drink.

"He's been half in love with her since his third year at Hogwarts." Lucius rolled his eyes. "She has always sparked something in him."

"I suppose she has." Narcissa hid her smile by taking another sip of her tea.

"So, how do we help him?" Lucius looked at her with that familiar sparkle in his eye. He was a man on a mission. "I know you already have a plan in place."

Author's Note

I had to include some scheming Slytherins. I assure you the plot will thicken soon. I hope you enjoy this update. I enjoyed writing it.

-Anna